Damaru, two-headed ritual hand drum

Mongolian Collection

Accession Nr.: 95.4.1
Type: musical instruments; religious/ritual equipment
Date of production:
18th and 19th century
Place of production:
Materials: bone; silk
Dimensions: height: 7.1 cm
diameter: 12 cm
length: 60 cm
The damaru was originally a double-sided percussion instrument made of human skull and covered with leather, which was used in funeral ceremonies. This drum is made of two hemispherical animal skulls, decorated with red plant ornamentation painted on a golden yellow background. The top is painted snakeskin. A red silk ribbon decorated with fringes is tied to the middle of the drum body, to which the metal drum sticks are attached. Attached to the ribbon is a long golden yellow ribbon with colorful fringes at the end, on which plant ornaments and a dragon motif are embroidered. Bundles of black cords on both sides.